The Spring Moon as “Festival Coordinator”

Our first Tuesday Lecture in March is coincident with Mardi Gras this year, which will lend a festive air to our gathering, which Mary Stewart Adams will use to describe the celestial mood of the coming season! 

To add to the mischief on March 5th, the planet Mercury begins its first retrograde motion of 2019.  Each year, the planet we regard as closest to the Sun makes about three of these retrograde motions, and in 2019, the third and final retrograde in November will include Mercury’s Transit of the Sun, a rare event that happens only 13 times a century. 

Also, because of Gregorian Calendar rules, the astronomical Full Moon on March 20 is not the Moon that is used for dating Easter this year, even though it comes to its Full Phase after the moment of Vernal Equinox and is technically the first Full Moon of the season.  The ecclesiastical Full Moon occurs on April 19, making for an Easter date that is almost as late as can be.  All of this provides a unique opportunity for research and study, and challenges us to find the mood of the season in relation to the celestial gesture and how we date our sacred festivals.  Mary’s intent is for our gathering to be engaging and lively!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you plan to attend Mary’s First Tuesday talk but you do not expect to be at her February 24 presentation in honor of Rudolf Steiner’s birthday, please contact Mary at mary@storytelelrsnightsky.com so that she can give you a few words of instruction to prepare you for the First Tuesday event.

First Tuesday is brought to you by the Great Lakes Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in America.  There is no admission charge.  Donations are welcome.  There is limited parking behind the Rudolf Steiner House and additional parking in the neighborhoods on the south side of Geddes.

Questions?  Contact Dwight at 517.927.3696 (dwight.ebaugh@gmail.com).